Chapter 631: Chapter 632: Amon, The Unknown Ruler
He leaned back in his chair, hearing the droning sounds of different conversations and arguments as the upper echelon tried to make sense of everything while creating countermeasures that protected their houses and nations.
The Valtheron Empire had been here since the late first epoch. They had survived too much and had the longest history of any empire in the world.
However, even they had to decentralize some of their authority by giving the four dukedoms autonomy.
At its core, the empire was actually five kingdoms that had forgotten how to be kingdoms.
"Aetherus..." he couldn’t help but mutter that name. Why else would five kingdoms become one, especially when one of them came from another continent to form an empire?
It was because of the one who was backing the Temple, and the countless threats around them.
Damian sighed, turning around to face the old man from House Ravenscroft while the others discussed Ashcroft.
"I never visited to give my condolences... on your grandson’s death. How are you holding up, Corbin?"
Corbin chuckled with a sad smile, his hand tightening slightly on the head of his cane.
"Like someone who watched their grandson’s killer get away."
Damian smiled lightly, lowering his eyes.
"He was a good kid, that Godric... a shame."
"If you thought so, you would have let him marry that daughter of yours," he replied softly.
The Grand Duke’s lips twitched, his gaze dropping low.
"My girl was too strong-willed to just go along with what I wanted. She’d rather do her own thing... sorry about that."
Corbin shook his head slowly.
"It’s fine. At least someone had a happy outcome in this."
Damian chuckled softly, though a pang hit his chest.
"I wish that was the case... but she sort of died. I had... no idea too. Pathetic, isn’t it?"
Cassian frowned, glaring at his father.
’What was wrong with these two? Why were they discussing this here of all places?’
However, he didn’t say anything. These were just fathers grieving, two old friends who had outlived their descendants.
Though Godric was actually Corbin’s grandson, Cassian remembered how the old man always came to show him off to his father. That was where they had gotten the idea to get him and Ranar engaged, even though she didn’t really like the idea.
"My condolences... must be hard on you. How’d she die?" Corbin asked softly, a pang of sadness in his heart as he thought of the vibrant Ranar.
"Demons... she got ripped apart in the demon wars. Guess it’s par for the course for me to lose the women I love to demons. I thought after her mother... I’d never lose anyone else to the bloody war with demons."
He glanced up with a small smile on his face.
"I only found out recently."
Corbin clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening.
"The demon wars are vicious. Godric carried the horrors of those wars with him. I never imagined those horrors would follow him home."
"You don’t mean..." Damian narrowed his eyes.
"I’m sure you’ve heard the news. It was a faceless entity. From the way he moved, he was skilled, except I can’t be sure who or what he is. I’m not even sure he’s a he... it could be a she or an it. I don’t even have a face or a name to hate."
Cassian narrowed his eyes. It seemed the conversations around them had unwittingly stopped and turned toward the two dukes.
He felt irritated. Some of this was personal and shouldn’t be leaked. However, these people were the most powerful in the world, so they knew quite a bit.
His eyes flickered.
’Wait... these people are the most powerful in the world and knew quite a bit... no, that’s an understatement. They controlled the flow of information.’
Cassian finally understood it now. These two old bastards were scheming. They wanted to make their personal problems everyone’s problem.
This whole thing was an act... so they could get information on their tragedies while also putting him on the radar of the world rulers.
’Ahh... so that’s why.’
And as Cassian expected, his father glanced at Emperor Kronos.
"I happen to have some idea of this entity’s name."
With a voice like a blade, he spoke the name.
"His name... is Amon."
Corbin Ravenscroft narrowed his eyes. Cassian glanced at Aspen next to him, still wearing the same stalwart expression. It seemed these two had told him of their plans.
He sighed.
’Goddess... father, at least keep me in the loop.’
Of course, he would have told him that was a bad idea.
However, it seemed their decision was bearing fruit. The members present took note of the name.
Kadelas narrowed his eyes as the man from the Magic Continent spoke.
"Well, what a horrible coincidence."
As soon as he said that, all eyes turned to him.
"Do you know anything, Great Mage Amitabh?" There was some desperation in Aspen’s voice.
There was a moment of silence before the Great Mage finally spoke.
"It’s not much... however, it is better than nothing. A few years ago, we caught one of those witches from the Snake Temple and tortured her extensively for information. As you would expect, nothing came from it."
Cassian narrowed his eyes. There was more.
"During that time, she may have unveiled some names that had never been used... the names of demon lords. One of those names... was Amon."
Kronos narrowed his eyes with a hint of dread.
"Are you suggesting... the Demon Continent has gained a new demon lord?"
He stroked his beard, his face drawn tight.
"We can’t confirm anything. This is an era where Ashcroft has returned. This Amon might be the least of our troubles... or one of the worst disasters we’ve ever dealt with... we all know a new name is always a sign of bad things to come."
Cassian bit his lip.
"An enemy we do not know... one we cannot kill."
"Amon, the Unknown Ruler."
Damon didn’t know it, but he was at the center of a grand meeting, both as Ashcroft and as Amon.
If he knew, he probably wouldn’t be worrying about his little problems.
However, he was now the great enemy of the world.